June 15, 2008

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RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said he would not insert Barack Obama's former pastor into the campaign, but declined to rule out ever using the incendiary videos of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

In an interview airing today on C-SPAN's Newsmakers program, Duncan underscored the tension between the desire of many GOP activists to use perhaps the most potent weapon the party has against Obama and John McCain's stated desire to not raise the issue as well as Republican concerns over being perceived as inserting race into the campaign.

"I think all of these things are fair game to talk about the associations, because it comes back to judgment," Duncan said in an interview with Politico, McClatchy's Steve Thomma and C-SPAN's Steve Scully.

"I am going to talk about Rezko and Ayers and all of the others," he stated.

But the party chief would not flatly rule out using the explosive videos of the controversial Chicago clergyman when pressed.

"Well, why at this point would I answer a question like that?" he said. "It's not my intent, I have no intent, and will not make race a part of this campaign, I'll say it that way."

McCain has grappled with what many on the right see as Obama's most significant vulnerability. Initially, the GOP nominee denounced third-party groups, such as the North Carolina Republican Party, for using clips of Wright. But he's since taken a more hands-off posture, never raising the issue himself but also saying he won't "play referee' over every ad that is aired or charge that is leveled.

On other topics, Duncan said President Bush would be invited to speak at the GOP convention in September. But he wouldn't say the same thing about Vice President Cheney. "I have no indication yet as to whether he will [speak]," Duncan said of Cheney.

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My God, how many times must the Republicans do this at their peril. It did not work in Mississippi, why will it work in the elections. Please, talk about policy and not this meaningless guilt by association thing. This just goes to show how horrificly out of touch Bush has made these idiots. Who are you more scared of Wright or Bush- these people are idiots!!!!!!!!!!!1

Then if it all comes down to judgement, Cindy McCain and her drug use should come into play. After all, John McCain consented to an adoption of a child while his wife was an addict. That shows a rather marked lack of judgement as well.

"I think all of these things are fair game to talk about the associations, because it comes back to judgment."
A question, if I may, for all those who have howled about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright: the Democratic nominee of four years ago is a member of a church, several of whose priests used their status as clergy to get into the pants of that church's children, which resulted in that church paying billions of dollars to compensate victims. So are Governor Piyush (Bobby) Jindal (a potential Republican nominee for vice-president) and former presidential candidates of both parties--Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Ambassador Alan Keyes, Senator Joe Biden, Senator Chris Dodd and Representative Dennis Kucinich.
Much of what the Rev. Mr. Wright said was politically incorrect and rhetorically indefensible. What the Catholic priests did and the coverup by the leadership of the Catholic Church in America did was vile and unconscionable. How many of Mr. Wright's critics are going to call upon Roman Catholic political candidates to denounce their church as Senator Obama denounced his former pastor and separated himself from his congregation?

Why worry? This will backfire on the Republicans as history has already proven! Trust me on this one.Most people have already formed their opinion on this one, to keep pushing the issue to shear desperation is going to cause people to turn their ear.

Nope. No sister wives and only ten kids, three of whom were adopted as infants. One of those is of an ethnic minority. All active in our church. Sons served missions in Finland, Uraquay and the US. Seven college grads, one other still in college, daughters all married to returned missionaries and one son married to a returned sister missionary. Professions range from RNs to CPAs to attorneys. Thirty seven grandkids ranging in age from 2 weeks to 20 years. Oldest grandsons on missions now; one to Argentina, one to Missouri, one waiting for his call to the mission field.

Their 'father figure' as you put it, served in the US army for ten years, fought in Vietnam in the infantry as a Captain, winner of two bronze stars and other medals, served his mission in Brazil and continues to love and care for his family.

Do you have any other hateful comments to make to me today, or would you like to spend some time honoring your own dad?

Oh, I forgot. I DARE to attack Cindy McCain because I feel like it, and other than typing in CAPS and writing ugly posts, there's really nothing you can do about that. I view you sort of like a pesky mosquito to swat away.

So while we're at it, how about that adulterous Cindy McCain; having an affair with John McCain? Adultery and addiction. Somehow I don't think they'll be making it into the white house this year. Now, go and light another candle at your John and Cindy shrine.

I don't know if this is an RNC role, but the judgment question is out there already. The emphasis now should be on thinness of resume. If you look at Obama's bio, his actual law experience is quite limited.

His bio, although the dates are vague, suggests maybe 5-7 years of active, full-time actual legal practice in a law firm. It also says his license to practice law was inactive by 2002.

Does Obama have a current law license? He appears to have worked in a couple of law firms in New York City for only several months before going to Chicago. What made him turn to teaching rather than practicing law?

It also would be interesting to hear greater detail about what exactly was involved in all the community organizing work. Sounds like that, and teaching, made up the bulk of his work prior to running for the state Senate.

We still have not met his grandparents who raised him. Where are they? Their grandson is an historic figure who might become president.

What about other family members, his sister, brother, other family relations in Kenya, etc... What do they think about his history-making run?

We get little to no info on his extended family's roots and thoughts.

That kind of personal information, and examination of resume and work experience, is what I'd like to hear about more than the rumors and myths that we've all heard enough of already.

You wouldn't hire an important employee without studying these things, and this is no different.

The Republicans can jump anyway the want too. But they better be ready for pay back. Obama's campaign will not be playing with them, neither the American People. They are showing signs of desperation and old mccain, needs to sit down and take hillary, bill and lie-berman with him. Because in 2009 people of the US of America is going to get exactly what we want and need. CHANGE
NO HILLARY, NO BAYH FOR VP DITCH MITCH

nomccain: Of course. Her "comments" usually include some form of religious bigotry and who could miss her references to "Brigette" as if they are BFF? Some things stay the same. She's quite original in some of her screen names though.

Why wouldn't the RNC use Wright's sermons. If Obama thought they were worth listening to for 20 years, then the rest of us should know what he heard and by his continuing presence in that Church obviously agreed. If David Duke had been embraced by John McCain for 1 year, let alone 20, you don't think that Duke's writings and rantings wouldn't be on the air and in the press every single night?

ABM I enjoyed your racist rants about black people on an earlier thread. Please allow us to engage in vigourous licking of each others feet and or armpits. We are birds of a feather, may as well act like animals. Apes unite! Lets lickkk our way to heaven.

It will be about issues, taxes, Iraq, economy, immigration, supreme court judge appointments, etc...the difference between the candidates and the judgement those candidates have used.
Therefore, in Obama's case, Wright, Pfleger, Ayers, Dohrn and Frank Marshall Davis are all legitimate issues. They tell volumes regarding Obama's judgement, and lack thereof.
For McCain, it will be Keating 5, campaign finance, and his positions on immigration and Anwr that conservatives and some dems will judge.